Istanbul State Opera and Ballet experienced the excitement of presenting its last ballet work, which was staged before Atatürk Cultural Center was renovated in 2008, as its first ballet premiere at the new AKM, which has now become one of the world’s leading opera stages. In the performance that took place on the evening of January 14 (last night), the work stopped from time to time with the enthusiastic applause of the audience. In the final, there was a standing ovation for minutes.

Istanbul State Opera and Ballet is the precursor of the white ballets that came after it and established important connections between the romantic and classical periods; brought together one of the greatest ballet works, La Bayadère, with ballet lovers.

The ballet La Bayadère, whose premiere was held on the evening of January 14 (last night), in the magnificent atmosphere of Atatürk Cultural Center – Türk Telekom Opera Hall; Set in India, its magical atmosphere full of love and intrigue, Marius Petipa’s unique choreography, the melodic appeal of Ludwig Minkus’ music, its scenes containing ostentatious rituals and ethnic elements, and its excellent dances, gave ballet lovers unforgettable moments.

Berfu Elmas as Nikiya, Çağatay Özmen as Solor, Büşra Ay as Gamzatti, Can Bezirganoğlu as Golden Idol, M.K. While Ayşem Sunal Savaşkurt, the work of Onur Tunay, which won the audience’s appreciation at the night where the Rajah and Applause Peker danced, was staged, with the decors of Efter Tunç, the costumes of Gülden Sayıl and the lights of Önder Arık, the spice-scented mystic of India and the deep feeling of its ethnic atmosphere aroused admiration.

After the premiere, La Bayadère will continue to meet with its audience on 18, 21, 25, 28, 31 January and February.

L. Minkus

LA BAYADÈRE

Ballet – 3 Acts

Choreographer: M. PETIPA

Staged and Arranged by: Ayşem SUNAL SAVASKURT

Conductor: Zdravko LAZAROV

Decor Design: Efter TUNÇ

Costume Design: Gülden SAYIL

Light Design: Önder ARIK

Nikiya: Berfu ELMAS, Büşra AY, Berin KOCABAŞOĞLU

Solor: Çağatay ÖZMEN, Batur BÜKLÜ, Yılmaz Berkay GÜNAY

Gamzatti: Büşra AY, Melike MANAV, Ami NAITO, Merve TOPALDEMİR

Golden Idol: Can BEZİRGANOĞLU, Yılmaz Berkay GÜNAY, Alican GÜÇOĞLU, Batur BÜKLÜ, Ali TÜRKKAN

Supreme Brahman: M.K. Onur TUNAY, Bahadır OVACIKLI

Rajah: Applause PEKER, Alper AKALIN

Indian Dance (Indus)

Soloist Girl: Zuhal KARACA, Julia HARTMANN, Asena ÖKTE

1. Male Soloist: M. Nuri ARKAN, Can BEZİRGANOĞLU, Berkay TOPÇUOĞLU
2. Male Soloist: Deniz POLAT, Arda ERKARA, Cenk Tan KARAYEL, Agit İŞCAN

Kingdom of Shadows

3 Soloists Shadow

1. Shadow: Zeynep GÜÇOĞLU, Ami NAITO, Ayşe ARAS
2. Shadow: Merve TOPALDEMİR, Ayça ANIL, Ayşe ARAS
3. Shadow: Melike MANAV, Berin KOCABAŞOĞLU, Elifsu PAMUKÇU

Shadows

Ami NAITO, Zeynep İŞÇİMENLER, Hazal ÇORUK TUNAY, Ayşe ARAS, Naz ÖZAKINCI BÜKLÜ, Elenay BACI

Nisa Deniz EKMEKCI, Ayça ANIL, Sanem ŞİLLİLER, Melis BÖĞRÜN, Melis GÜLMEN, Eda YEKER DRAMA,

Asena ÖKTE, Buket POLAT, Elifsu PAMUKÇU, Ege TIMOÇIN, Ezgi GEMALMAZ, Naz KURTULUS, Ecem OVAT

Dilara CAKMAK, Berin KOCABAŞOGLU

(Zeynep GÜÇOĞLU, Merve TOPALDEMİR) and Istanbul State Opera and Ballet artists will dance alternately.

SUBJECT OF THE WORK

The Supreme Brahmin, priests, and temple dancers hold the Sacred Fire Rite in India. Nikiya, the most beautiful of the temple dancers, is honored as the principal temple dancer. The Supreme Brahman declares his love for Nikiya, but Nikiya rejects him and secretly meets with the noble warrior Solor at night. They dance together and promise each other eternal love on the Holy Fire. When the jealous Supreme Brahman realizes the situation, he vows to kill Solor.

Rajah wants to reward Solor’s courage and orders him to marry his daughter Gamzatti. As soon as Gamzatti sees Solor’s portrait, he falls in love with her and when they meet, Solor is very impressed by her beauty. Despite vowing eternal love to Nikiya, she cannot go against Rajah’s wish and decides to marry Gamzatti. The Supreme Brahman tells him about the secret love between Nikiya and Solor, hoping that the Rajah will eliminate Solor. However, Rajah decides to kill Nikiya. Overhearing this dialogue, Gamzatti calls Nikiya to her room and tries to bribe her into giving up Solor. Nikiya, who rejects Gamzatti, goes crazy and tries to kill him. Then Nikiya escapes and Gamzatti vows to destroy him.

At Solor and Gamzatti’s engagement, Nikiya is ordered to dance. Gamzatti sends him a basket of flowers as a gift. Nikiya thinks the flowers are from Solor. However, a poisonous snake is hidden in the flower basket. The snake stings Nikiya; Nikiya does not want to take the antidote offered to her and dies.

Solor is alone in his room. He completely surrenders to the sadness of Nikiya’s death. He takes opium to relieve his pain, and his hallucinations lead him to the Kingdom of Shadows. Here, the image of Nikiya, the memories of their love do not go before his eyes and Solor ends his own life. Thus, Nikiya and Solor unite in eternal love.